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McCain on Israel, Iran and the Holocaust--Obama on Zionism and Hamas
The Atlancic ^ | 6-1-08 | Jeffrey Goldberg

Posted on 06/01/2008 8:12:58 AM PDT by SJackson

McCain on Israel, Iran and the Holocaust

Two weeks ago, I spoke with Barack Obama about the Middle East, Zionism, and his favorite Jewish writers. Since my blog is both fair and balanced, I had a lengthy conversation with Senator John McCain earlier this week about many of the same subjects.

The two candidates, who are scheduled to address the AIPAC policy conference in Washington, D.C. early next week, have well-developed thoughts on the Middle East, and their differences are stark. Obama sees the Israeli-Palestinian dispute as one of America’s central challenges in the Middle East; McCain names Islamic extremism as the most formidable challenge. Obama sees Jewish settlements as "not helpful" to peacemaking between Israel and the Palestinians; McCain does not offer a critique of the settlements, instead identifying Hamas’ rocket attacks on the Israeli town of Sderot as the most pressing problem. And both men take very different positions on the issue of Philip Roth.

In our conversation, McCain took a vociferously hard line on Iran (and a similarly hard line on Senator Obama’s understanding of the challenge posed by Iran). He accused Iran of not only seeking the destruction of Israel, but of sponsoring terrorist groups – Hamas and Hezbollah – that are bent on the destruction of the United States. And he said that the defense of Israel is a central tenet of American foreign policy. When I asked him why he is so concerned about Iranian threats against Israel, he said – in a statement that will surely placate Jewish voters who are particularly concerned about existential threats facing Israel – “The United States of America has committed itself to never allowing another Holocaust.”

Here is an edited transcript of my talk with McCain:

(Excerpt) Read more at jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Israel; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; aipac; issues; jewishvote; mccain; middleeast; obama; zionism
Obama on Zionism and Hamas

The Hamas leader Ahmed Yousef did Barack Obama no favor recently when he said: “We like Mr. Obama and we hope that he will win the election.” John McCain jumped on this statement, calling it a “legitimate point of discussion,” and tied it to Obama’s putative softness on Iran, whose ever-charming president last week called Israel a “stinking corpse” and predicted its “annihilation.”

The Hamas episode won’t help Obama’s attempts to win over Jewish voters, particularly those in such places as –- to pull an example from the air –- Palm Beach County, Florida, whose Jewish residents tend to appreciate robust American support for Israel, and worry about whether presidential candidates feel the importance of Israel in their kishkes, or guts.

Obama and I spoke over the weekend about Hamas, about Jimmy Carter, and about the future of Jewish settlements on the West Bank. He seemed eager to talk about his ties to the Jewish community, and about the influence Jews have had on his life. Among other things, he told me that he learned the art of moral anguish from Jews. We spoke as well about my Atlantic cover story on Israel’s future. He mentioned his interest in the opinions of the writer David Grossman, who is featured in the article. “I remember reading The Yellow Wind when it came out, and reading about Grossman now is powerful, painful stuff.” And, speaking in a kind of code Jews readily understand, Obama also made sure to mention that he was fond of the writer Leon Uris, the author of Exodus.

Here are excerpts from our conversation:

Excerpted, complete article at source

1 posted on 06/01/2008 8:12:58 AM PDT by SJackson
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To: dennisw; Cachelot; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Alouette; Optimist; weikel; Lent; GregB; ..
If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]

----------------------------

Second article in post 1, interview transcripts at the sources.

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

2 posted on 06/01/2008 8:15:59 AM PDT by SJackson (It is impossible to build a peace process based on blood, Natan Sharansky)
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To: SJackson

At the end of the day, we will see who is left standing: Obama or Israel—I think Israel.


3 posted on 06/01/2008 8:16:27 AM PDT by richardtavor (Pray for the peace of Jerusalem in the name of the G-d of Jacob)
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To: SJackson
Among other things, he told me that he learned the art of moral anguish from Jews.

What does that mean?

4 posted on 06/01/2008 8:18:55 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin
What does that mean?

It sounds like he learned how to whine effectively from the Jews.

Maybe b. Hussein Obama was trying to be funny.

5 posted on 06/01/2008 8:24:59 AM PDT by Stepan12 ( "We are all girlymen now." Conservative reaction to Ann Coulter's anti PC joke)
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To: BenLurkin
I haven't a clue.

You'll also note he couldn't clearly answer Do you think that justice is still on Israel’s side? ....the fundamental premise of Israel and the need to preserve a Jewish state that is secure is, I think, a just idea and one that should be supported

Of course for Barry it's all about race.

I think the idea of Israel and the reality of Israel is one that I find important to me personally. Because it speaks to my history of being uprooted, it speaks to the African-American story of exodus, it describes the history of overcoming great odds and a courage and a commitment to carving out a democracy and prosperity in the midst of hardscrabble land.

6 posted on 06/01/2008 8:25:16 AM PDT by SJackson (It is impossible to build a peace process based on blood, Natan Sharansky)
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To: BenLurkin

Among other things, he told me that he learned the art of moral anguish from Jews.

What does that mean?


I take it to mean that he came to understand how Jews handle/think about/perceive/discuss the injustices of the world, not just for Jews, but everyone who is victimized, oppressed, and an object of prejudice.


7 posted on 06/01/2008 8:25:24 AM PDT by bioqubit
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To: SJackson
Great interview with McCain. Sometimes you're mystified by the man's obtuseness on certain issues (global warming and immigration) but at other times (such as this interview and another great one printed in the June issue of America's 1st Freedom) you have to admire his resolution and backbone.

November 4 will be an interesting day for me.

8 posted on 06/01/2008 8:41:42 AM PDT by Flycatcher (Strong copy for a strong America)
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To: Flycatcher

Totally agree! JM’s responses are wonderful in this interview. Wish he’d be that concise and certain about stopping illegal immigration in the US the way he says he wants to stop Iran et al from attacking Israel!


9 posted on 06/01/2008 8:46:45 AM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --Soccer Mom and proud Rush Conservative with no dog in the presidential race now *sigh*)
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To: pillut48
You'd also love his adamantine defense of the 2nd Amendment in the June issue of America's 1st Freedom (that I mentioned too). If I knew how to post articles on FR I would post it, but I'm absolutely terrified to try! That's a LOL at myself!

Anyway, the McCain roller coaster keeps gliding along. Right now, I think I'm back on it. To earn my vote, a candidate has to support Israel and the 2nd Amendment, and JM definitely does.

If he could just jump off the global warming bandwagon...sheesh...

10 posted on 06/01/2008 9:00:44 AM PDT by Flycatcher (Strong copy for a strong America)
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To: SJackson; M. Espinola; Travis McGee
*BUMP* !

I suspect that Al Qaeda terrorist are planning attacks shortly before the November elections. They did if before in Madrid back in March, 2004.


Bodies Being Removed from Train Wreckage

That action angered, shocked and eventually cowed the voters of Spain. Millions marched in the streets to express their pain and anguish.

AQ believes Americans will be similarly cowed. As for myself, I think voters here will react by supporting Republicans more strongly than ever.

11 posted on 06/01/2008 9:01:12 AM PDT by ex-Texan (Matthew 7: 1 - 6)
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To: SJackson
I think McCain would have been smart to either leave this out or give us some details -- I am sick to death of Republicans taking up the democrap line of "four years of mishandling the war".

That was not asked about, and his gratuitously throwing it in was dumber than hell.

Amd I thought he was a pretty smart politician.

Humph!!!!

12 posted on 06/01/2008 9:44:44 AM PDT by Turret Gunner A20 (If the opposite of Pro is Con, what is the opposite of Progress? -- Tom Glennon)
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To: Turret Gunner A20
!!!!!!!!OOOOOOOPS!!!!!!

Forgot something ___

ViJM: Well, we haven’t talked about the four years of mishandling this war, which has been devastating, in particular to the families.

***and I call JM dumb***sheesh***

13 posted on 06/01/2008 9:53:11 AM PDT by Turret Gunner A20 (If the opposite of Pro is Con, what is the opposite of Progress? -- Tom Glennon)
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To: AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; george76; ...
McCain names Islamic extremism as the most formidable challenge. Obama sees Jewish settlements as "not helpful" to peacemaking between Israel and the Palestinians; McCain does not offer a critique of the settlements, instead identifying Hamas’ rocket attacks on the Israeli town of Sderot as the most pressing problem. And both men take very different positions on the issue of Philip Roth. In our conversation, McCain took a vociferously hard line on Iran (and a similarly hard line on Senator Obama’s understanding of the challenge posed by Iran). He accused Iran of not only seeking the destruction of Israel, but of sponsoring terrorist groups – Hamas and Hezbollah – that are bent on the destruction of the United States. And he said that the defense of Israel is a central tenet of American foreign policy. When I asked him why he is so concerned about Iranian threats against Israel, he said -- in a statement that will surely placate Jewish voters who are particularly concerned about existential threats facing Israel -- "The United States of America has committed itself to never allowing another Holocaust."

14 posted on 06/01/2008 10:13:58 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_________________________Profile updated Friday, May 30, 2008)
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To: Flycatcher

There are many things to be desired about McCain. But the difference between him and Obama is striking.


15 posted on 06/01/2008 10:27:45 AM PDT by Tolik
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To: Tolik

Well put. And that has to be factored in on November 4.


16 posted on 06/01/2008 10:31:32 AM PDT by Flycatcher (Strong copy for a strong America)
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To: Turret Gunner A20
I think McCain would have been smart to either leave this out or give us some details -- I am sick to death of Republicans taking up the democrap line of "four years of mishandling the war".

I agree, McCain was right on force size early on, if he's going to bring up 2004-2006, he needs to make that clear. IMO, if the progress of the last year continues, I don't think he needs to bring it up at all, only answer attacks. Let Obama make the case for withdrawl in the face of victory. And should Obama hopefully the Iraqis will be strong enough to prevail against terror, we'll be busy spending our $$$ on expanded food stamps, welfare, health care, and unemployment for illegals.

17 posted on 06/01/2008 11:00:56 AM PDT by SJackson (It is impossible to build a peace process based on blood, Natan Sharansky)
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To: SJackson

That’s a very impressive interview.


18 posted on 06/01/2008 11:52:03 AM PDT by Tribune7 (How is inflicting pain and death on an innocent, helpless human being for profit, moral?)
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To: Tolik
There are many things to be desired about McCain. But the difference between him and Obama is striking.

I've many differences on issues, but on the man, and a man (sorry Hillayr) will be making decisions that impact our future, it's a clear choice for me.

19 posted on 06/01/2008 12:35:18 PM PDT by SJackson (It is impossible to build a peace process based on blood, Natan Sharansky)
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